Report & Reaction: Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles, Vitality Blast

Words by Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network

James Fuller continued his renaissance season by claiming four for 30 as Hampshire Hawks extended their up-tick in Vitality Blast form to beat Essex Eagles by 32 runs.

All-rounder Fuller has become a key member of Hampshire’s first choice XIs in both the Blast and LV= Insurance County Championship after a winter honing his skills with new bowling coach Graeme Welch.

He is the Hawks’ third-highest run-scorer and took his wicket tally to eight as Hampshire made it three wins on the trot by defending 155, to put their T20 season back on track - with Chris Wood and Brad Wheal also boasting a pair of wickets.

Earlier, Ben Allison claimed his best T20 figures of three for 33 and leg spinner Matt Critchley snared three for 25 to take his Blast tally to nine for the season; with James Vince top scoring with 44.

Hampshire’s victory was watched by 2,300 local children as part of the club’s Schools Takeover, who created an excited and appreciative atmosphere.

Having chosen to bat, Hampshire’s innings consisted of two platform setting partnerships – Vince leading stands of 49 and 47 with Tom Prest and Joe Weatherley – and then a mad dash to reach par in the last six overs. 107 for two in 14 overs ended up being 155 for six in 20.

Vince and Ben McDermott’s run of record opening partnerships came to an end when the Australian edged Allison behind in the third over.

Vince’s innings was the exception to the rule that the Hawks skipper only produces pretty innings. He was forced to scrap on a tacky used wicket against accurate bowling; earning each of his three fours and swiped six in his innings.

Prest and Weatherley kept him company with 30 and 38 respectively, before Toby Albert’s 24 off 12 ball cameo at the end.

Essex were superb in the field. Allison and Pepper each claimed a pair of catches – the latter just managing to release the ball before he stepped over the boundary and then legally completed the catch to dismiss Ross Whiteley. Shane Snater’s quick thinking after an Aron Nijjar misfield was equally impressive.

In reply, Fuller castled Feroze Khushi as Essex found it equally as difficult to find runs in now soupy conditions. Michael Pepper was given a life before he had scored when Chris Wood dropped a steepler, something Liam Dawson didn’t repeat to dismiss Adam Rossington.

Pepper was caught and bowled by Mason Crane and Critchley slapped to deep cover as the drizzle got heavier, with Essex slipping further and further behind the DLS par.

Paul Walter holed out after an enterprising 27 and Simon Harmer was bowled by Fuller. Wood and Wheal then combined for a classic death bowling display to dismiss Tom Westley, Nijjar, Allison and Sam Cook in the final three overs – as no Essex batter really ‘got in’.

Fans enjoying a summer’s afternoon or evening of Vitality Blast action at The Ageas Bowl can look forward to free family-friendly activities, live music and a whole host of off-pitch entertainment as well as the best food and drink in English cricket – that’s in addition to all the edge-of-your-seat cricketing action that T20 promises.

Vitality Blast Passports have now sold out after a record number of fans secured their seven-match passes. Individual match tickets are on sale for this summer’s Vitality Blast at the discounted Advance rate until 11:59pm the day before each match. Click the link below to purchase yours.

Hampshire Hawks have also announced a brand-new type of ticket for this summer’s T20 matches at The Ageas Bowl, the Vitality Blast Plus ticket, which offers an upgrade on general admission tickets with premium reserved seating and access to a private, pitch-facing lounge and bar.

Vitality Blast Plus tickets have sold out for the mouth-watering T20 ‘el clasicoast’ double-header on Saturday 4th June but a limited number of these new tickets are still available at the Advance rate for each of Hampshire Hawks’ six other Vitality Blast matches.

Getting to The Ageas Bowl for this summer’s Vitality Blast will be easier and more affordable than ever before as fans will be able to make use of free buses running to and from The Ageas Bowl from Hedge End and Southampton Airport Parkway train stations. 

These free direct buses will be available from both Southampton Airport Parkway Railway Station and Hedge End Station, running continuously from 4:30pm for weekday fixtures and 12pm for weekend fixtures.

The buses will depart from immediately outside both stations - simply head for the Hampshire Hawks flags upon arrival at the stations!

The buses heading back to the stations from The Ageas Bowl will depart from opposite the West Gate turnstiles and the last bus back to the stations will leave 30 minutes after the end of the match.

You won't need a ticket or any accreditation to use the free buses - simply turn up at the stations and get on board - however, if you are planning to use the buses we would ask you to complete the short registration form (available below) to ensure we're able to provide enough vehicles for all fans using the services.